Fri Oct 24 14:40:00 UTC 2025: Headline: Senate Fails to Pass Immediate Pay for Federal Workers, Bipartisan Deal Still Possible
Washington D.C. – A Republican-led effort to immediately pay federal employees working without pay during the ongoing government shutdown failed in the Senate on Thursday, highlighting deep partisan divisions over the issue. However, some lawmakers remain optimistic about reaching a bipartisan agreement to provide relief to federal workers in the coming days.
The “Shutdown Fairness Act,” spearheaded by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), sought to ensure immediate pay for excepted employees, those deemed essential and required to work during the shutdown. The motion to advance the bill fell short of the 60 votes needed, with a 54-45 vote. Three Democrats, Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), crossed party lines to support the measure.
Democrats largely opposed the bill, arguing it would grant President Trump undue authority to selectively pay federal employees, potentially prolonging the shutdown. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called the bill a “ruse,” accusing the Trump administration of using federal workers as pawns in political games.
Democrats offered alternative proposals, including the “True Shutdown Fairness Act” and the “Military and Federal Employee Protection Act,” which aimed to provide immediate pay to both furloughed and excepted employees, as well as military members, contractors. They would also prevent the Trump administration from moving forward with reductions in force (RIFs) during the shutdown. These proposals were blocked by Senate Republicans.
Despite the failed vote, Sen. Johnson expressed hope for a bipartisan compromise. “We’re basically in agreement here,” Johnson told reporters, indicating a willingness to include furloughed workers in the pay provisions. “I’m actually quite hopeful — I think we can fix it over the weekend,” he added, suggesting a potential path towards ending the government shutdown.
Many federal employees are facing the prospect of missing their first full paycheck. While a 2019 law guarantees retroactive pay for both excepted and furloughed employees after the shutdown ends, the White House’s interpretation of this law has been challenged.
Dave Spero, national president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) union, emphasized the need to end the shutdown entirely. “Clearly, we want people to get paid, but quite honestly, what we want is the shutdown to end,” Spero said.
The Senate is expected to continue negotiations over the weekend, with lawmakers on both sides facing increasing pressure to find a solution to the growing financial strain on federal workers and their families.
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